OAISD Interworkings Summer 2013

OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Inter-workings Ottawa Area Intermediate School District Employee News and Information

OAISD Summer Fun: • Doing More. Together.

• futurePREP • ISD Building Improvements

Doing More. Together. at the Maranda Park Party in Kollen Park, Holland.

OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT

INTERWORKINGS SUMMER 2013

IN THIS ISSUE

3 Superintendent’s Message

Fifty-and-a-Half 4-5 Doing More. Growing More!

Doing More. Together. is Everywhere 6-7 Meet Your Colleague: Tami Mannes

Following Life’s Path is an Adventure!

8-9 Summer Learning = FUN!

Another Busy Summer for futurePREP 10 ISD Retirements

Congratulations OAISD Retirees

11 ISD Pet Parade

Meet Kizmet–A Regal, Romantic Canine

12 Summer Construction

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Five Major Projects are Keeping Building & Maintenance Services Busy

INTERWORKINGS SUMMER 2013

OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT

S U P E R I N T E N D E INNT ’ TS HM I SE SI SSAS G UE

Fifty Plus One As our fiftieth anniversary comes to a close, it’s a good time to say thank you to all of you for helping us share our story during our “golden” year. Starting with our opening day “Jeopardy Game,” it was a year of “reflecting back while moving forward;” acknowledging all of the people who have influenced our prosperity and philosophy.

We made a concerted effort to strategically connect more people to our work this past year, opening our doors to more tours, sharing our contributions with key community leaders, participating in state-wide efforts to promote ISDs, and fostering new partnerships for future growth and success. It’s safe to say there is a far greater community awareness of the educational

value you add every day than there was just twelve months ago.

As we enter “fifty-plus-one,” we face new challenges and new opportunities. I’m confident, however, that we will successfully navigate these uncharted waters in large part because of our 50-year history of doing just that! The evolution of Michigan’s ISDs is ongoing and we are well prepared to lead the evolution!

The party might be over. But the great work continues! Here’s to another half-century!

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OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT

INTERWORKINGS SUMMER 2013

DOING MORE. TOGETHER.

Doing More. Growing More!

The word about the Ottawa Area Schools, Doing More. Together. partnership is spreading quickly. With more than 20 confirmed partners the Doing More. Together. partnership is engaging individuals, families, businesses and communities, and demonstrating that Ottawa area schools have done–and continue to do–the important and necessary work of preparing our students for their future. Local school leaders are partnering with OAISD staff members to present to area Chambers of Commerce, Rotary clubs, church groups, businesses and other community organizations.

International 2013 Communicator Award for Doing More.

Together.

Partnership effort

DMT Partners

Haworth Maranda Where You Live ABC WOTV 4 Pro Temp Allendale Area Chamber of Commerce The Chamber–Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge Attorneys at Law Lakeshore Home Builders Association Vantage Pointe Financial Group Hello West Michigan Hello Allendale JH Family Stores–Hamilton Mobil Hudsonville Area Chamber of Commerce Ottawa County Michigan Works!

Rotary Club Allendale, Michigan Campus West Apartments Junebug Photography WOOD TV Holland Litho Ben’s Rubber Stamps & LaserWorks, Inc. 4

Karen McPhee presenting DMT to the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.

WOTV4 Maranda set interview with Angie Briggs-Johnson and Michelle Ready

INTERWORKINGS SUMMER 2013

OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT

DOING MORE. TOGETHER.

July 18, 2013 Kollen Park, 980

(L-R) Stephanie DeDoes, HR; Jannette Bole, Amy Busse, and Michelle Ready of of Communications/Marketing promoting DMT at a Maranda Park Party in Kollen Park.

Stephanie DeDoes facepainting at the park party.

Our booth was a hit with the DMT materials, beach balls, and face painting!

DMT is feeling the love via social media. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

DMT partners help spread the word on their websites. (Hello Allendale and Hudsonville Chamber of Commerce) DMT is featured on the Maranda Where You Live/WOTV 4 website.

Do you have an inspirational story to tell about OAISD programs and services or our local schools?

Submit your story online at: doingmoretogether.com/story

GMB Architecture retweet

Hudsonville Chamber of Commerce website

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OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT

INTERWORKINGS SUMMER 2013

TI N AM TH I IM S AI SNSNUEES

Tami with her husband, Will, and daughter, Liv.

MEET YOUR COLLEAGUE:

TAMI MANNES 6

The more things change, the more they stay the same rings very true for Tami Mannes. While she has made many residence and job changes, she hasn’t strayed too far from her hometown or love of education.

Tami has worked at the OAISD for nearly six years starting as a teacher consultant for students with autism spectrum disorder.

She then moved into an Early Childhood Coordinator role and as of July 1, is now the Director of Early Childhood Services replacing Vonnie VanderZwaag who retired.

She grew up in Holland and attended Holland Christian Schools with her husband, Will.

After high school, Tami attended Grand Valley State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in special education and later earned a master’s in elementary education.

INTERWORKINGS SUMMER 2013

OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT

TAMI MANNES

. . . Life’s paths take you places you never expect. This is really an exciting new time.

- Tami Mannes

Her first job was in Hamilton teaching both special and general education. After five years, Tami decided to pursue a Ph.D. in special education through Michigan State University and needed a part-time job. There was a teacher consultant position open and since she always loved working with students on the autism spectrum, she applied.

Then her career focus changed. Initially she wanted to be a professor of early childhood education, but her work with making systems level changes helped her realize her true calling.

Tami and Will, a builder, have been married for nearly 10 years and are parents to “fun and spunky,” two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Liv. With a husband in the construction business, she became accustomed to a lifestyle of moving.

Prior to beginning a family, they moved five times in five years. Since Liv’s birth, Tami and Will are enjoying a more permanent stay in their new home.

In her limited free time, Tami enjoys reading and cooking. She subscribes to Food Network magazine which combines both hobbies.

When asked about her work team, Tami said, “I’m really lucky to be part of The Early Childhood team.”

She added, “I never thought I’d be a Director. It wasn’t set up in my original ‘career plan’. Life’s paths take you places you never expect. This is really an exciting new time!”

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OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT

INTERWORKINGS SUMMER 2013

futurePREP

Summer Learning = FUN! While summer may be a time for some to take a break from learning, it’s a time for intense research, analysis and problem-solving for several area students and educators.

“While we have programs such as Make Lab and Connections running throughout the school year, summer is still a very busy time,” Jason Pasatta, Director for Career and Technical Education for OAISD, said.

Summer Immersion futurePREP 2013 programs kicked off with Summer Immersion in early June. For three weeks, nearly 40 students participated in four innovative learning opportunities: Food Matters–students explored the different ways food is produced and visited a sustainable community farm.

Urban Experience– students studied urban living and expanded their views on ethnic diversity, education, and day-to-day city life.

The Dunes–students learned about ecological processes involved in the Great Lakes Sand Dune ecosystem.

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Word Up–students discovered how written and spoken poetry has become a vehicle for self-expression, political activism, and cultural preservation.

While the sessions explore different subjects, they all include hands-on learning experiences, learning excursions to experience the topic firsthand and a comprehensive, technology-based student project at the conclusion of the course.

“I was inspired by these students,” Katie Kotowski, master teacher for Word Up and instructor for Hamilton Public Schools, said.

“They worked hard and took some real risks with their writing.”

“Being exposed to Spoken Word poetry and the emotions that can come with it was eyeopening,” a student said. “I like being able to let out emotions in a way that is different than writing.”

IChallengeU Now in its second year, the IChallengeU program ran July 8-19 giving high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn college credits while they research, design, and develop solutions to real business problems.

Students who bring fresh eyes and fresh ideas to the real world problems the employers face are assembled into teams and paired with master teachers from the Ottawa area and a “coach”

INTERWORKINGS SUMMER 2013

OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT

futurePREP

representing the sponsor organization. Teams compete for scholarships provided through the generosity of Haworth, the program’s corporate sponsor.

Community Hospital and Ottawa County Parks & Recreation to bring hands-on experiences from the workplace into the classroom. Participating teachers spend 40 hours during the summer working on-site at a business gaining information about required employability skills. Throughout the immersion process, educators document their experience to create an online database of lesson plans that are available to all Ottawa area educators.

“Haworth chose to be a lead sponsor in this innovative program for two distinct I enjoyed watching the reasons – readying students grow last year during “The Chamber of students by exposing Commerce Grand Haven, the program. them to real business Spring Lake, Ferrysburg - Tony McCaul, CTC Instructor challenges but, also was instrumental in this highlighting to our program. They matched employees the caliber of emerging talent that the needs of the teachers to businesses will be available in the next five years,” Sharon within the local area that matched Netto-Lipsky, Manager of Recruitment & those needs,” Pasatta said. “This Member Effectiveness for Haworth, said. “It’s collaboration allows educators highly interactive, impactful and results based.” and businesses to have “I enjoyed watching the students grow last year during the program,” Tony McCaul, Environmental and Agricultural Sciences Instructor for CTC, said. “I’m also looking forward to learning more about Project Based Learning and incorporating it into my CTC classroom.”

Unite4Insight Rounding up the futurePREP summer programs is Unite4Insight. This program partners educators with local businesses including Light Corporation, North Ottawa

a hand in developing stronger students and potential future employees.”

Through futurePREP summer programs, students remain engaged in the learning process, Ottawa area instructors sharpen their expertise in preparation for the next academic year, and businesses invest in the process of creating highly qualified local talent.

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OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT

INTERWORKINGS SUMMER 2013

OAISD CELEBRATION

Retirement Celebration On Thursday, May 30, 2013 at the ESB the OAISD honored the retirement of: Lee DeWitt Holland CBI-II Instructor, 33 years Ruth Dixon CTC Instructor, 17 years Sherry Godin M-TEC Adult Ed Instructor, 11 years Jan Gossan OAC Speech Therapist, 14 years Kathy Hall ESB REMC Support, 20 years Linda Jackson Sheldon Pines, Teacher Assistant, 9 years Karen Miersma CTC Instructor, 19 years Michele Ripka ESB Teacher Consultant, 22 years Vonnie VanderZwaag ESB Director of Early Childhood, 35 years Rick Zavadil CTC Instructor, 34 years Linda Westenbroek Holland CBI-I Teacher’s Aide, 26 years We are saddened to share that Linda “Kiek” Westenbroek passed peacefully August 6, 2013, following complications with cancer.

Her tremendous spirit will be remembered and missed.

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INTERWORKINGS SUMMER 2013

OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT

I NP ET TH IPSAIRSA SD UE

The ISD’s Pet Parade Meet Ananke Kizmet Theakstone or Kizmet for short. His proud mommy is Christine Zeeryp in the Technology Services Department at the ESB. She and her husband, Gary, acquired the German Shorthaired Pointer eight years ago when he was a puppy. He loves to sleep under the covers and even uses a pillow! He also has a case of “puppy love” for Misty, the lab/beagle mix next door. Many nights, before Kizmet climbs into bed, he heads to her house to say “goodnight.”

Awwwwwwwwwwww.

“We really love our dog!” Christine says. It’s easy to see why.

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OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT

INTERWORKINGS SUMMER 2013

AROUND THE OAISD

Summer Construction...

Summertime for our Building and Maintenance services department is no day at the beach. This summer there are five major construction projects occurring around the OAISD. Portions of Ottawa Area Center (OAC) and Careerline Tech Center (CTC) are receiving new roofing, and 25 OAC restrooms are receiving updated plumbing fixtures and finish upgrades in an effort to significantly reduce water usage. A conversion of OAC’s locker rooms off the large gym into a fitness room is also taking place.

“The majority of the work at OAC will be completed over a couple brief periods when there are no students on site,” Angela McCoy, Facilities and Transportation Manager for OAISD, said.

CTC and the Educational Services Building will receive new tempered insulated glass windows with thermally broken frames that help eliminate thermal transfers between exterior and interior surfaces. So not only are these new windows and frames esthetically consistent with each building, they improve energy efficiency and help to create an environment that is more comfortable for learning and working.

At CTC, a nearly 6,000-square-foot renovation of the Culinary Arts lab has been impressive to watch.

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INTERWORKINGS SUMMER 2013

OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT

AROUND THE OAISD

“I keep making excuses to drive in to school to monitor the progress,” Joe Carmolli, Culinary and Pastry Arts Instructor for CTC, said. “It is unrecognizable!”

The renovation features a new demonstration lab area with tiered student seating and video monitors for optimal viewing. Additionally, there will be six identical work areas, each equipped with gas burners, flat top griddle, gas grill and oven, plus a separate worktable with sink. High grade commercial equipment including a combination steam/gas oven, new fryer, and two broiler ovens will also be added.

“Recent students are wishing they could come back to experience the new lab,” Carmolli said.

“We are looking into possibly building a second year curriculum.”

The renovation will also create a retail outlet where customers can purchase “grab-and-go” food type items created by the students.

“Our Culinary & Pastry Art students will be working in a state-of-the-art learning facility,” CTC Director Dave Searles, said. “This new classroom will continue our tradition of excellence and leadership in classroom innovation at CTC. “ When the kitchen is open, be sure to stop by CTC and grab some lunch to go.

Severe storms mid-July blew a construction cover off the roof at CTC causing extensive damage inside the building.

Clean-up work is underway. School will resume “business as usual” on September 3.

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